Latest news with #CommunityCouncil
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
53 community councils demand Scottish Highland energy projects pause
Councils from across the Highland region gathered both in person in Beauly and online on Saturday to discuss their concerns over the pace and the scale of projects such as windfarms, battery storage sites, and transmission lines. Representatives shared their widespread frustration at how applications are being handled by developers, the government, and national planners. Collectively, more than 72,000 residents from Skye to Caithness were represented by those gathered, which is being described as "the largest gathering of community councils in Highland Council history". READ MORE: 2031 Scotland census planning underway as public input sought on new questions The convention collectively called for a national planning inquiry and an immediate pause on major energy applications until their cumulative impact can be fully assessed. Speaking at Phipps Hall, Stuart Mills representing Halkirk and District Community Council listed concerns of his community, describing the area as "under siege". 'Caithness, and especially the Halkirk area, is under siege from energy projects. We must remind ourselves these are business ventures designed to make a profit.' 'Immediate action is needed to address the totality of all the developments and their supporting infrastructure,' he added. READ MORE: UK 'feeding Scotland poison pills', John Swinney says Speaking remotely, Mark Gibson of Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council said he and his team are provided with little support when faced with complex applications. Gibson shared: 'We are a small group of volunteers. Reading through hundred-page documents and engaging with multiple developers in a single year is simply beyond our capacity". He added: "There seems to be no one single energy strategy, just a year-by-year, scheme-by-scheme advancement with very little benefit showing for the local communities. 'We pay the highest prices in the UK for electricity, and that annoys many of our constituents when the energy is being generated or stored almost in their backyard.' SNP MSP Maree Todd (below), for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, responded to the convention's statement, and said she had written to Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Net Zero, Gillian Martin, following the meeting to request a response to the issues set out. She added: 'I have been engaging extensively with both the Scottish and UK Governments on a range of planning and regulatory matters. "These discussions have centred around the issue of cumulative impact of developments on communities, the safety and regulation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and the importance of meaningful and ongoing community engagement throughout the planning process. 'I remain committed to raising these issues at every opportunity, ensuring that the views and concerns of my constituents are clearly heard and given full weight in all decision-making." READ MORE: Art workshop helps refugee women to celebrate 'strength found in community' Tory MSP Edward Mountain, for the Highlands and Islands, also responded, telling campaigners: 'I have long said that it is essential we do not sacrifice the Highlands on the altar of net zero.
North Wales Chronicle
10-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
New Anglesey basketball court opened by Valley brothers
Kieran and Ryan Jones were instrumental in the creation of the court in their home village of Valley after the Community Council approached them for ideas on how to redevelop the area. Kieran, who is hoping to compete in the F34 shot put at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, was the one who suggested the space be used for basketball. He said: "They contacted us to ask what would we recommend for the community, and I said, 'What about a basketball court?"' "Sport has changed my life and it's important that we start at grassroots level. "I'm 23 now, but when I was growing up there was nothing like that nearby. "I had to travel everywhere, you had to book a court - so it's great that it's just there on your doorstep." The sportsman, who recently won the British Universities F34 shot put title and is the reigning Welsh champion, believes the court will inspire future generations to pursue their sporting dreams. The brothers, who both have hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a neurological disorder that affects the hip and leg muscles, have been heavily involved in sports from a young age. They have both represented Wales in wheelchair basketball and have made sporting success part of their lives despite their condition. Former Coleg Menai students Ryan and Kieran Jones on the new basketball court at Parc Mwd with Councillor Neil Tuck (Image: Coleg Menai) They attended Coleg Menai's Llangefni campus, with Kieran studying between 2020 and 2022, while Ryan completed his Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair studies last year. Despite his own challenges, Kieran is determined to inspire others with his story, saying: "The amount of setbacks I've had, the amount of times I've cried to my parents… setbacks make you stronger, but barriers are there to be broken, not to stop you. "You've got to push through that and you'll achieve what you want to if you keep going." READ MORE: Welsh Deputy First Minister praises Anglesey farm's sustainable practices Having completed his first year of a BSc in Sports Coaching at Cardiff Met University, Kieran returned home to cut the ribbon on the new basketball court in Parc Mwd, on behalf of Valley Community Council. At the opening ceremony, Councillor Neil Tuck, the council's chairman, thanked all stakeholders who made the project possible through their support. He also offered special thanks to G L Jones, the builders behind the project, and Lagan Aviation Infrastructure Ltd, who supplied all the infrastructure for free. Swish Coaching Ltd also attended the ceremony, offering a free coaching session for young people.
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Bangor on Dee debris set to be cleared amid concerns
Bangor Bridge in Bangor on Dee is a historic, Grade One listed monument that the local community is keen to protect. Several residents including members of Bangor on Dee Community Council contacted Wrexham MP, Andrew Ranger to express concern about the build-up of debris in the river following the autumn and winter storms, which had settled and blocked part of the bridge. It was unclear who was responsible for the land under the bridge which was important for the MP and his team to establish. The blockages are affecting two of the four arches. The Debris at Bangor on Dee bridge. (Image: UGC) The MP's office convened a meeting last week involving Cadw, Wrexham County Borough Council, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and members of the Community Council to discuss what could be done. At the meeting NRW confirmed that the debris did not present a flood risk to the village and had modelling to share with residents to show this. It was estimated by Wrexham Borough Council that the weight of the debris was 600 tonnes, the equivalent of around 100 African elephants and was therefore putting pressure on the bridge which, though built in 1658, has medieval foundations. Cadw expressed concern that if left unaddressed, the debris has the potential to cause damage to the historic bridge. All parties agreed to work together to address the problem with removal of the debris to be undertaken by Wrexham Council. Mr Ranger said: 'Residents and community councillors were rightly concerned about the impact of the debris on the bridge and the river, as well as the impression it gives to the multitudes of tourists who come to admire the village's stunning scenery every year. MOST READ: "The meeting last week has hopefully answered their questions and brought a resolution to this particular issue. I know that the groups involved will continue to collaborate and communicate going forward which is another positive outcome.' Following extensive lobbying from Andrew Ranger MP, Bangor on Dee Community Council, local borough councillors, and Bangor on Dee residents, Cadw announced they would be providing a grant for the removal of the debris with the rest funded by Wrexham Council The work is expected to begin at the end of July.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- New York Post
Reckless e-bikers are a menace — here's how the NYPD is cracking down
Every New Yorker understands how frightening it is to jump out of the way as an e-bike drives on the sidewalk, or to pull their kids back as one barrels through a busy crosswalk. Over the past few years, e-bikes have become commonplace in communities across our city. These motorized vehicles are convenient, but they are also fast, heavy and can be extremely dangerous. What's more, the rapid proliferation of e-bikes has not been met with any meaningful governance of their safe use — until now. Operating any vehicle, including an e-bike, on a city street comes with certain responsibilities. Chief among them is following the very basic rules of the road — and when it comes to traffic safety, compliance is not optional. So to increase safety on our roadways, the New York Police Department is stepping up enforcement on 14 high-traffic, high-volume e-bike corridors throughout the city, including Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. Officers are focusing on peak morning and evening hours, and targeting serious e-bike traffic violations such as reckless driving, wrong-way riding, disobeying red-light signals, disobeying traffic control devices and failure to stop at stop signs. And to make our enforcement more effective, these especially dangerous violations are now issued as criminal court summonses, or 'c-summonses.' Previously, such infractions were eligible for traffic court summonses, or 'b-summonses' — but a loophole in the system rendered those tickets essentially worthless. When vehicle drivers fail to respond to a traffic summons, their licenses can be suspended. But e-bikes do not require any license, so their operators can simply ignore a traffic summons with virtually no meaningful repercussions. Now, we're closing that loophole by issuing c-summonses —the only real option available under the law to hold reckless e-bike operators accountable. As always, we are open to working with lawmakers on effective alternatives. In the meantime and under current law, public safety will remain our top priority. Some critics have suggested that this new e-bike safety enforcement policy represents an overly punitive dragnet. But this behavior is clearly unlawful, dangerous, and degrading of our collective quality of life in New York City. Last week the NYPD issued 11,245 moving summonses for cars compared to 654 for e-bikes, proving this new approach is both balanced and targeted. A c-summons will not appear on a driver's rap sheet, and judges still have the option to dismiss a case if the offender avoids any further violations during a six-month period. Others have expressed worry that pedal bicycles could be swept up in this enforcement action. While bicycles are subject to traffic laws, this crackdown is specifically focused on e-bikes — and directly responsive to resident concerns. New Yorkers have been raising these concerns in NYPD precincts, at Community Council meetings, at town halls and elsewhere. They have told us about their very real fears of serious injury or worse. And now, the NYPD is taking action. Since this initiative began, compared to the same period last year, e-bike enforcement is up by a factor of 100. As always, the NYPD does not inquire about a person's immigration status and does not cooperate with ICE on civil immigration matters. The only objective here is the elimination of hazardous e-bike operation and the restoration of safety and order on our streets and sidewalks. In my 17 years working in city government, I have never accepted the status quo when the status quo no longer serves New Yorkers. And previous e-bike enforcement was clearly not serving New Yorkers. We cannot tolerate these vehicles speeding through traffic, running red lights, ignoring stop signs, driving on the sidewalk and careening through crosswalks. This is common sense, it is our job, and it is exactly what New York City expects from its police department. Jessica Tisch is commissioner of the New York City Police Department.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wayfinder's Derby Day Benefits Foster Care and Adoption Programs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. , May 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayfinder Family Services hosted its annual fundraising event, Derby Day, at Mulvaney's B&L restaurant in Sacramento on Saturday, May 3rd. All proceeds from the event benefit Wayfinder's foster care and adoption programs in Northern California. Over 150 guests enjoyed a live auction, hat contest, Southern-inspired food and live feed of the Kentucky Derby race. Wayfinder's Community Council, a group of local volunteers who raise awareness and funds for Wayfinder's mission, hosted the event. Jay Allen, Wayfinder's president and CEO said, "while Wayfinder's main campus is in Los Angeles, we have equally deep roots in this area. I want to thank Wayfinder's board, Community Council, today's sponsors and donors, as well as Wayfinder's phenomenal staff. They are the definition of 'above and beyond' and are who makes Wayfinder the best in class at what we do." Annie Hallsten Narayan, member of Wayfinder's Community Council, emceed the event and kicked it off with John Nicolaus, co-chair of Wayfinder's Community Council and a member of its board of directors. Jade Pillsbury, Wayfinder Community Council member and adoptive mother, gave the audience a firsthand account of Wayfinder's services. "The work that they do here—the trainings, the courses, the support groups, the support offered, the mentorship, the friendship that comes from this—is beyond my expectation, and I am very grateful." Since 1980, nearly 18,000 children have found stability and permanency in loving homes through Wayfinder's adoption programs and last year it served over 10,000 foster, adoptive and kinship families. The organization serves a total of over 22,000 individuals statewide each year through child welfare and disabilities programs. About Wayfinder Family Services Wayfinder Family Services provides expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, adults and families—from people with vision loss and developmental disabilities to children in need of temporary shelter, foster care and adoption. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Wayfinder Family Services
